Man Utd fear £74m star is ruled out for rest of the year

According to a report by Metro on Wednesday October 21, 2026, Manchester United are bracing themselves for another major injury setback, with fears that Benjamin Sesko could be sidelined for the remainder of 2026.

The Slovenia international has been struggling with a recurring shin problem, and the latest setback could leave manager Michael Carrick without one of his key attacking options for several months.

According to reports, United are concerned that the £74 million striker could face up to four months on the sidelines following extensive medical examinations at the club’s Carrington training complex.

Although there is still hope that his absence will not extend into February, the club are reportedly preparing for the possibility of a prolonged layoff. No official return date has been confirmed.

Sesko has not started a Premier League match this season and has been unavailable since the Manchester derby defeat to Manchester City in September.

The 23-year-old initially struggled with a shin injury towards the end of the 2025-26 campaign, which disrupted his preparations for the new season and forced him to miss the entire pre-season programme.

He eventually returned to action in September, scoring against Everton and Sabah, but another problem emerged shortly afterwards.

Sesko remained in Manchester during the international break to undergo further assessments, but he has yet to return to training.

The latest development will be particularly frustrating for the striker, who had hoped to put his injury troubles behind him and establish himself as a regular starter at Old Trafford.

Sesko’s latest problem is reportedly separate from the shin injury that affected him last season, although it concerns the same general area.

United’s medical team have been conducting further tests to establish the nature and severity of the issue before deciding on the most appropriate treatment.

The recurrence has raised questions about whether the forward’s previous rehabilitation programme allowed sufficient time for the injury to heal fully.

Speaking about the challenges associated with recurring injuries, Stephen Smith, the chief executive and founder of Kitman Labs, explained that medical teams often need to reassess their approach when an initial treatment plan fails to produce a lasting solution.

Smith suggested that United would be looking at the previous treatment and considering alternative options rather than simply repeating the same process.

Further investigations could help determine whether there is any underlying structural damage contributing to Sesko’s continued discomfort.

Surgery has also emerged as a possible option if the medical examinations reveal a problem that cannot be resolved through conservative treatment. However, there has been no confirmation that the striker will undergo an operation.

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